Jimmie Dougherty

Senior quarterback Joe Gray is placing a heavy emphasis on improving his footwork for this upcoming season. (Staff photo/Jim Gensheimer)

I finally made it out to a San Jose State football practice today and got a lot of great content.

While the closed practices is one issue as to why there hasn’t been any coverage of spring ball, it does actually go deeper than that. With different staffers off in Arizona at spring training or Las Vegas for basketball tournaments, my services have been needed elsewhere. The closed practices makes it an easy decision to pull me off SJSU coverage, because I can’t get nearly as much out of being out there. But there is still a lot to be gained and learned from talking to the players and coaches, even if I can’t see the work they’re doing and you can read my story here. Continue Reading →

There was some moving and shaking within San Jose State’s coaching staff in the offseason. (Staff photo/Jim Gensheimer)

San Jose State should likely make official some or all of its offseason coaching staff changes later today (and I should be receiving contract information by tomorrow on most of them). Some of these moves they’ve already semi-announced, such as coach Ron Caragher in his press conference Wednesday referring to Jimmie Dougherty as his wide receivers coach.

The latest is that Keith Carter has left to accept a position on Dan Quinn’s staff with the Atlanta Falcons. He coached with Quinn previously in Seattle. Adam Stenavich, the offensive line coach at Northern Arizona and a former player and GA at Michigan, will replace him. Stenavich had a few cups of coffee with NFL teams and was a GA when both Al Borges and Dan Ferrigno were at Michigan. Continue Reading →

“We finished strong. I think we had a great class and then we finished strong. We always say in football, start fast and finish faster. We did that today.”

– San Jose State coach Ron Caragher

That quote pretty well sums up how San Jose State’s national letter of intent day went. It was set to sign a solid class and then closed with a flourish thanks to three commitments in the final 24 hours. Here’s my unedited version of my signing day story, which includes a note at the end on the coaching staff and spring practice. Continue Reading →

Terry Malley has been let go after six seasons at San Jose State. (Terrell Lloyd/SJSU Athletics)

San Jose State has parted ways with wide receivers coach Terry Malley, sources tell the San Jose Mercury News. A team spokesman was unable to confirm the move as of Tuesday night.

The longest-tenured member of the Spartans’ coaching staff, Malley had been at SJSU since 2009 and served under the past three Spartans’ coaches. He was immensely popular among the players and has served as a jack-of-all-trades during his time at San Jose State.

Players and former players chimed in on Twitter, with recently graduated wide receiver Jabari Carr saying, “What a shame.” Malley and Carr were particularly close as the coach helped guide Carr from an academic non-qualifer out of high school to a solid four-year career with the Spartans.

Malley coached the wide receivers this year and during the 2011-12 seasons. He was the tight ends coach in 2013, the running backs coach in 2010 and the assistant head coach for offense/quarterbacks coach in 2009. He had also served as the recruiting coordinator since 2010 and his presence as a South Bay football fixture for three decades gave him tremendous contacts in that area. Continue Reading →

FootballScoop.com reported Wednesday that Dougherty will indeed accept Jim Harbaugh’s offer to join his staff at the University of Michigan. Meanwhile, the web site reported that former Wolverines offensive coordinator is expected to take over Dougherty’s spot at SJSU.

A team spokesman could not confirm either move and said he had not yet been contacted by Michigan. Continue Reading →

Joe Gray is taking a calm approach to his first career start. (Staff photo/Jim Gensheimer)

“I stand behind my coaches 110 percent, no matter what decision they make. I just want to let that be known. I’m as optimistic as ever — as I was in the spring and when I had the opportunity to compete against (David Fales in 2012). I’m still as optimistic as ever.

Whatever’s best for the team, that’s best for the team. I’m behind that 100 percent. Whether I’m the starter or not, my mindset is on starting. I’m going to go out there, I’m going to command. I’m going to lead the team as if, play as if, and I’m going to be ready as if. So when the time calls, I’ll be ready to step up to the challenge.”

Will Blake Jurich still be the starting quarterback next week? (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)

Good morning from Minneapolis, where I don’t fly back home until the afternoon and so I’ve got a little time on my hands.

The chatter here in the Twin Cities seems to center on the fact that Minnesota dared play a game in which it almost didn’t complete a single pass. Gophers’ backup quarterback Chris Streveler was 1 of 7 for just seven yards, that lone completion coming midway through the fourth quarter to draw sarcastic cheers.

I didn’t get around to posting this last night because I attended the terrific movie premiere and also had eight interviews to transcribe off my recorder as I get the legwork done for the season preview, which will run in Sunday’s paper. That will be up online Saturday, along with some extra content, so be sure to check that out. I’ll link it here at some point Saturday once it’s posted, but you can also always go to the San Jose State page on our web site.

A few things I noticed out there yesterday. First off, Blake Jurich’s deep ball seems to be getting much better. He hit both Hansell Wilson and Tyler Ervin on deep balls for touchdowns.

And speaking of Ervin, he’s looking as electric as ever yesterday and seems to be really settling in to his role as a slot receiver. We all know he’s got high-end speed and quickness and is dangerous with the ball in the open field. If yesterday’s practice — which offensive coordinator Jimmie Dougherty said might’ve been Ervin’s best — is any indication he could be a threat for the Spartans. (That’s, of course, assuming he stays healthy which has been the trick for him).